The Open Championship

This year the Open Championship is to be held at St Annes in Lancashire. The event has not been held at St Annes for over ten years – back in 2001 David Duval won here at St Annes. However a repeat of that success would be unexpected to say the least as he has only made two out of twelve cuts this season and has not had a top 25 finish yet this season.

Three players who finished in the top 10 that year are worth a note at big odds. The first of these is Ernie Els. He has been playing well this year and has made eleven out of thirteen cuts, finishing in the top twenty five in seven events.

Another of interest is Darren Clarke who hasn’t played in many events this year but could be due a good showing.

Finally one of my personal favourites Miguel Angel Jimenez, who finished tied third in 2001.

Interestingly Ernie Els also finished tied 2nd in the 1996 St Annes Open, so clearly he likes the course and is playing well.

Some names to note from the 1996 St Annes Open are Jeff Maggert who hasn’t had a great season this year but is always capable of one good round and Fred Couples who finished tied seventh. Fred Couples also finished fourth in the 1988 St Annes Open, however he doesn’t appear to be playing this year.

You can currently get Ernie Els at 40/1, Jimenez is 150/1 and Darren Clarke is 150/1. If those aren’t big enough odds for you then you could risk a pound or two on David Duval at 500/. Perhaps he might rekindle his form at a course where he had his only major win.